Match Reports Girls U13

DCB U13 Girls v Staffordshire on Sunday 5th July at Risley CC

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Published: Monday, 06 July 2015 21:42

Risley CC played hosts to the u13 Girls sixth game but whilst the sun shone a forecast of heavy rain by late afternoon cast a doubting shadow over the game. Captain Lucy Yates again won the toss and invited a strong Staffs side to bat first.

Opening bowlers Imogen Cooper (6-0-21-0) and Mariam Imam (6-1-13-0) bowled exceptional opening spells with Mariam beating the bat on all six deliveries in her opening over. Neither benefitted from some much deserved fortune despite the score being kept to a miserly 21 from the opening 9 overs. Lucy Yates (7-1-27-1) and Molly Dytham (5-0-17-2) continued the excellent bowling with Opening bat Gwynn (scorer of 89 against Derbys in the opening fixture) enjoying unprecedented good fortune as first she played-on but the bails failed to be dislodged and then was caught behind by Rebecca Church off Molly only for the umpire to turn down the 11 player appeal. Such was the noise of bat striking ball even the scorer had recorded a wicket having then to correct the scorebook. The 12th over finally found the breakthrough as a quick single was thwarted by a direct hit from mid-on by Suzie Ljubojevic to remove Perrin. Mollys perseverance eventually paid off when finally bowling Gwynne in the 13th over, 43 for 2. More bowling changes saw Charlotte Thompson (2-0-19-0) and Suzie (5-1-6-1) try their luck, initially without joy. Keeley Brodrick (2-0-6-2) provided the next breakthrough when having Potts brilliantly caught by Julia Draycott at mid-wicket and then Simms caught equally well by a diving Rebecca. The return of Molly saw another wicket fall in her first over when capturing an LBW and Staffs were pegged back to 75 for 5. Imogen Collinson (2-0-11-1) recorded her first county wicket thanks to another Rebecca catch. Lucy’s pace was too much for Hughes as she was bowled at 107 and Suzies excellent spell was rewarded with a wicket in the penultimate over, Staffs innings finishing on 129 for 8.

Derbyshire set about the chase and opened with Alice Harwood (1) and Annelise Rountree (0) but both were soon watching from the side. In the blink of an eye Lucy Yates (0) to a dubious caught & bowled, Mariam Imam LBW (0) and Imogen Cooper (2) all joined them and Derbyshire were 3 for 5. Some brief resistance from Rebecca Church (4) and Julia Draycott (4) saw the score limp to 18 for 7. Only the resilience and positive approach of Suzie (17 and Molly (23) managed to give the scoreboard some respectability as the pair added 43 for the 8th wicket but with their dismissal and the early departure of Imogen Collinson (0) the home side were all out for 65 in 21.4 overs leaving Keeley (0) unbeaten .

Another cameo of the season to date, some excellent bowling was, at times, supported by good fielding but the littering of some very poor ground-work and four dropped catches probably cost in the region of 25 runs and a number of spurned run–out opportunities due to poor throws gave the opposition a total they barely earned. Backed by another disastrous batting display only given some respectability thanks to 2 scores of note underlined the problem again. With Yorkshire and Lancashire left to play the challenges ahead and the demand for improvement continues.

DCB U13 Girls v Shropshire on Sunday 21st June at Belper Amateurs CC

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Published: Thursday, 25 June 2015 21:39

Belper Amateurs stepped into the breach to host our home game v Shropshire and despite the breezy location fine weather was forecast. Captain Lucy Yates again won the toss and Derbyshire were batting.

Following the high scoring game against the visitors back in May another close game was expected. A new opening partnership had the opportunity to lay down a marker for the rest of the summer. Alice Harwood (3) and Hannah Nutty (2) started brightly enough but Hannah was soon to be undone by the pace of Edwards and bowled around her legs. Abbie Ryan-Edwards (0) fell first ball and when Alice followed next over Derbyshire were in trouble at 10 for 3. Lucy Yates and Imogen Cooper started to compile a threatening looking partnership adding 21 before Imogen (6) was adjudged LBW with the score on 31. Rebecca Church (1) partnered Lucy to the first drinks interval at 12 overs but fell next over, 36 for 5. Mariam Imam and Lucy took the score positively to 54 before Lucy (17) lifted a simple return catch to Rollason. Hannah Slack (3) and Molly Dytham (0) fell in quick succession at 63, a score which also saw the unfortunate and disappointing dismissal of Mariam for a bright 15 to a double bouncing delivery!! ( a no-ball not given) Suzie Ljubojevic (1 not out) and Imogen Collinson after hitting a straight 4 took the score to a disappointing but defendable 71 all out in the 25th over.

Shrops had set a challenge that Derbys needed to respond to, Coach Tony Flavell called for a response and to field with focus and intensity, plenty of encouragement was needed and some straight bowling to prevent cheap runs. Imogen Cooper (4-0-14-1) and Mariam Imam (4-0-24-2) started with good pace and Imogen was rewarded with and early wicket, 5 for 1. A couple of wayward deliveries were punished and Shrops raced to 20 before a terrific catch above her head by Lucy Yates off Mariam lifted the optimism. Another good catch this time by Molly Dytham reduced the visitors to 29 for 3. At an ominous looking 44 for 3 a double bowling change saw Lucy Yates (4-1-5-0) and Molly Dytham (4-1-6-2) stem the flow of runs and with Molly bowling beautifully, hitting the stumps twice with unplayable deliveries. Molly and Lucy then combined to run-out Ahsan, 3 wickets had fallen for just 2 runs and Shrops were wobbling at 46 for 6 off 16 overs. Another double change brought on Charlotte Thompson (1-0-1-1) and Suzie Ljubojevic (1.3-0-6-3). The quality of fielding was making run scoring very difficult and despite the opening bat Rollason still being at the crease she was being allowed a single so that wickets could be taken at the other end. At 52 for 6 the game was still very much in the balance as Shropshire 'inched' their way to victory but Suzie was rewarded in her first over by bowling Dirkin, Charlotte then delivered an almost perfect opening over when bowling Penny and only conceding 1 run, 57 for 8. Suzie then returned to bowl the determined opener for a defiant 15 and then seal the win by repeating the feat by bowling the tail ender, 57 all out and a jubilant team celebrated victory.

Maybe papering over a few cracks as far as the batting goes but a win made more relevant by the nature of the performance in the second half of the game. Some first class fielding and accurate bowling in particular won the day. In a game we might otherwise hope to win, the response to playing under the pressure of that expectation whilst trying to defend a small target was excellent. The value of fielding with focus, concentration and greater intensity was demonstrated to the players today, well done.

DCB U13 Girls v Staffordshire on Friday 12th June at J&G Meakin CC

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Published: Tuesday, 16 June 2015 14:26

With the possibility of thundery rain forecast for later a prompt and early start in Stoke was greeted by a very warm sun. Captain Lucy Yates called, won and invited Staffs to bat first on a good looking track.

A number of unavailability’s meant the bowling attack would be stretched and on a fast outfield a difficult day might be expected. Imogen Cooper (7-1-23-1) and Suzie Ljubojevic (7-0-39-0) bowled with good pace but found the openers in a determined mood. Lucy Yates (7-0-22-1) and Charlotte Thompson (4-0-36-0) were first changes but neither could find a breakthrough. Julia Draycott (4-0-20-0) was extremely unfortunate not to have trapped Hughes LBW when all seemed convinced the first wicket had fallen. Keeley Brodrick (3-0-15-0) and Imogen Collinson (3-0-18-0) toiled in the heat without any joy. A number of run out chances were spurned by some inaccurate throwing and clumsy pick-ups as the openers Hughes 64 not out and Gwynne 89 prospered whilst racing to an opening partnership yielding 180 runs. The returning Imogen Cooper eventually bowling Gwynne in the 31st over finally earned some respite. Lucy Yates then removed the incoming batsman, Rebecca Church taking the catch behind. 185 for 2. The innings finally ended at 190 for 2. Whilst straighter lines were bowled compared to the last outing there were plenty of no-balls and leg byes and 33 extras were added to the total.

Derbyshire opened with Annelise Rountree (7) and Hannah Nutty (1) but both were undone early by the pace of Potts. Abbie Ryan-Edwards (0) and the in-form Imogen Cooper (2) joined the openers back in the pavilion with only 20 on the board. Rebecca Church (1) was next to fall, 30 for 5 and an all too familiar lack of resilience was threatening to end the game very early. Lucy Yates batted in a very positive manner hitting the innings only 3 boundaries. Lucy raced to 24 with some positive running before falling, somewhat fortuitously for Staffs when pulling another boundary destined delivery straight at short mid-wicket who held a good catch. 59 for 6. A solid looking Alice Harwood (4) fell next to a needless run out. Charlotte Thompson (0), Keeley Brodrick (2) and Julia Draycott (0) all fell to Dover, leaving Suzie unbeaten on 4, the innings ending in the 23rd over at 73.

Staffordshire proved far too strong on the day and will surely mount a serious challenge to Yorkshire in the division so we should stay as positive as possible. However, the margin of defeat and the manner of most of the performance today is cause for concern. With only a few exceptions an all-round improvement is necessary. The fielding was very lethargic throughout with too many misfields on an excellent playing surface. The failure to stem the flow of quick singles, a couple of dropped catches and 4 or 5 spurned opportunities for run outs all added to the difficult chase. Some wayward bowling and some batting without responsibility were all evident today.

A sunny but cool and breezy day greeted the players on arrival. Yorkshire are National champions at this age and have been for the last 3 years so a stern test was expected. Captain Lucy Yates won the toss was and invited the visitors to bat first on a good looking track.

Both Imogen Cooper (7-2-30-1) and Mariam Imam (6-1-25-1) bowled with good pace but despite plenty of playing and missing and only conceding 17 runs neither couldn’t find a wicket in the first 7 overs. However, Molly Dytham (7-0-37-2) despite a ‘loosener’ in her first game of the season gained the breakthrough in the same over thanks to a magnificent running catch by Mariam at deep backward point, 30 for 1. Lucy Yates (7-0-27-3) then picked up the wicket of the dangerous Dobson with her first ball, Rebecca Church taking the clean catch behind the stumps, 35 for 2. At the first 12 over break Yorks had progressed to 50. Lucy was to take the next wicket at 68. Yorks then put together a partnership of 48 with Jobling (56) doing the majority of the scoring. Julia Draycott (3-0-18-1) managed to prise open one end by dismissing Jones (9) with the score at 116. The returning Lucy picked up her third wicket by hitting the stumps for the second time with the score on 132. Molly claimed her second victim at 135 before Imogen and Mariam each picked up a deserved wicket at the end of the innings. Yorkshire closed at 182 for 8. Keeley Brodrick (3-0-25-0) and Deborah Banks (2-0-17-0) completed the bowling analysis. Disappointingly we conceded 42 extras of which 39 were deemed wides.

Derbyshire opened with Hannah Slack (0) and Annelise Rountree (1) but a swinging new ball saw them both back in the pavilion within 7 deliveries of the reply, 5 for 2. Lucy (9) joined Hannah Nutty (14) before Lucy fell LBW to another curving delivery, 18 for 3. Hannah and Imogen (16) took the score at good pace to 49 at the 12 over break but Imogen fell third ball after drinks when looking set for a repeat of her heroics at Shrops. Mariam (11) and Hannah added 3 more before Hannah became the 5 LBW victim of the day, 52 for 5. Rebecca Church (14) in her typically belligerent style took the score to 84 by over 22 and marginally behind the required run-rate. However, in an all too familiar scene the innings came to an abrupt end as Rebecca then Mariam departed and Alice Harwood (8) Deborah (0) Molly (1) all fell quickly leaving Julia on 2 not out, all out for 97 in the 29th over.

A strong Yorkshire side were not to be denied and whilst the margin of defeat could have been smaller the result was fair. Things for us to work on have to be reducing the extras and wides considerably and to show more intensity when fielding, too many easy singles and misfields mount up. The bowling was generally ok (apart from the wides) but the batting again all too fragile. Few teams will give this Yorkshire side a strong test so we shouldn’t be distracted by this result, next game in 5 days’ time against Staffs gives us another chance to build on things and some unavailability throws up opportunities for others.

DCB U13 Girls v Shropshire on Sunday 17th May 2015 at Forton CC

A sunny but cool and breezy day greeted the players on arrival. Captain Lucy Yates called but the toss was won by Shropshire who opted to bowl first.

Hannah Nutty (13) and Hannah Slack (5) opened the innings and immediately set the tone for Derbyshire with a mixture of good shots and sensible caution and with some excellent running started to accumulate runs at a healthy pace. However with the score at 12 Hannah Slack fell first when presenting a sharp chance to short mid-off. Abbie Ryan-Edwards (9) continued the positive approach and good running and added another 25 for the second wicket before being caught in the 10th over. Lucy Yates (0) in next, but disastrously was adjudged stumped first ball amongst some uncertainty. With Hannah Nutty falling soon after the positive start and good run-rate the innings was beginning to have very familiar feel to it at 40 for 4. The new batsmen Imogen Cooper and Mariam Imam (1) continued until the 14th over when Mariam fell with the score on 48 for 5. That brought together Imogen Cooper and Rebecca Church with the hopes of batting through the 35 overs and setting a good score looking increasingly doubtful but the pair then set about the Shropshire attack in a very positive approach. By the 24th over drinks break the pair had taken Derbyshire through to 108 without too much issue and only one 'half chance' being offered and missed. With a mixture of aggressive running and big hitting the blossoming confidence was clear to see and those still to bat reassured that a big score was now possible. The 100 partnership arrived in the 32nd over and was soon followed by Imogen's maiden county half-century to rapturous cheers from the side. Rebecca's fine innings was finally ended with the score at 157 having hit 4 fours in her fine 35 and a magnificent partnership of 109 in 19 overs. Deborah Banks (3 Not out) then steered the innings to a close with Imogen who left the field to loud cheers and warm applause for a superb unbeaten 71 that included 9 fours, and thanks to a further 49 extras being contributed Derbyshire has set a daunting 186 for 6.

Following a couple of days of heavy rain the prospects of an uninterrupted game were not high and players arrived to a gloomy looking sky. The groundsman was hard at work preparing a track. A sharp 5 minute shower interrupted the warm up and players ran a hasty retreat to the pavilion. Captain Lucy Yates started the campaign by winning the first toss and opted to bowl on a very green, wet and uncertain 'track'.

Imogen Cooper and Mariam Imam taking the first new ball of the season bowled with good pace and lines and it was Imogen who made the early breakthrough with the score on 5. The 9th over saw the first bowling change with Lucy Yates replacing Imogen and taking a wicket in her first over, 16 for 2. Charlotte Thompson (4-0-25-1) then captured the next wicket courtesy of a catch behind by Rebecca Church 19 for 3 off 12 overs. Next change Suzie Ljubojevic (5-0-20-1) bowled well being rewarded with the next wicket at 36 for 4. A solid 5th wicket partnership of 52 between Fitton and Critchley added some respectability to the score and both Keeley Brodrick (3-0-27-0) and Deborah Banks (2-1-1-0) were unable to make the breakthrough. The returning Mariam Imam (7-2-24-1) was rewarded for her efforts by taking a return catch from Fitton for a determined 41. Lancs then added some much needed aggression to their innings with a belligerent 28 not out from Mullan and the runs were only stemmed when Imogen Cooper and Lucy Yates bowled out the remaining 6 overs. Imogen's fine figures (7-4-9-2) were enhanced when grabbing her second wicket by claiming a leg before to remove Critchley (20). Lucy returning a lively spell with (7-2-12-1) only damaged by a 6 in her final over. Lancs had recovered to post a respectable score of 123 for 6 from their 35 overs on a very lively and 'bowler friendly' wicket.

A summer with new faces to the squad would prove to be testing on occasions and rewarding on others. 3 days at the Denstone festival provided some useful grounding and preparation for the upcoming games and 3 wins and 1 narrow defeat when only fielding 10 players was encouraging.The summer proved to be challenging not least due to repeated cancellations and rearrangements but patience from players and parents alike ensured that we managed to play 7 of the 8 scheduled league games, only dented by a wasted half journey to Burnley.Two early victories over Shropshire built confidence as our bowling strength was too much for the opposition and when only chasing 37 to win in the first game the 9 wicket victory didn't give the batting much practice either.